Zinedine Zidane has officially returned to football, stepping onto the touchline as the head coach of the French national team. Following a five-year hiatus from management, the 1998 World Cup hero has taken the reins from Didier Deschamps, officially beginning his tenure with France’s UEFA Nations League clash against Turkey on September 25. For Zidane, who left Real Madrid in 2021 and rejected multiple elite club offers in the interim, the appointment is the culmination of a long-held ambition to lead Les Bleus.
"I've spent the last four or five years waiting for this day, so I'm a little emotional," Zidane told the press during his unveiling at the French Football Federation headquarters in July. "For five years, I received offers to take over a club, and I turned them all down for the sake of France, because that's the only thing I wanted to do."
The End of the Deschamps Era
Zidane’s arrival marks a seismic shift for a national team that has known only one voice for over a decade. Didier Deschamps spent 14 years shaping the modern French setup, bringing immense success that included lifting the 2018 World Cup in Russia and reaching the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. However, the pragmatic style that defined Deschamps’ 187-match tenure eventually drew criticism for stifling France's wealth of attacking talent.
The breaking point came at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Despite a promising run, France suffered a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Spain and subsequently dropped a chaotic 6-4 bronze-medal match to England. That fourth-place finish signaled the natural conclusion of Deschamps' cycle, prompting his departure and paving the way for Zidane to sign a four-year contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup.
Harnessing France's Attacking Star Power
The immediate challenge for Zidane is unlocking the full potential of a squad that often felt tactically restricted. While Deschamps prioritized structural safety and counter-attacking efficiency, Zidane brings the pedigree of a manager who won three consecutive Champions League titles at Real Madrid (2016–2018) by empowering elite playmakers and utilizing flexible, fluid attacking systems.
Kylian Mbappé will retain the captain's armband and remains the focal point of the squad. The Real Madrid forward recently expressed his excitement about the managerial change, describing working under Zidane as "like something out of a movie." Mbappé noted that it was Zidane who first introduced him to the Spanish club’s training ground when he was just 13 years old, creating a full-circle moment for the nation's biggest star.
Zidane's man-management skills will be vital in navigating a dressing room filled with varied egos and superstar status. During his time in Spain, he masterfully rotated and motivated a squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos, ensuring they peaked for crucial knockout fixtures. Translating that club-level harmony to the sporadic schedule of international football is a different challenge, but Zidane commands an unparalleled level of respect among French players. As one of the architects of France's 1998 World Cup triumph and Euro 2000 victory, his mere presence elevates the expectations surrounding the camp.
Beyond Mbappé, Zidane is already putting his stamp on the squad's personnel. Ahead of his first training camp at Clairefontaine, he called up Paris Saint-Germain’s highly-rated attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche to replace his injured club teammate Warren Zaïre-Emery. The squad rotation suggests Zidane is eager to integrate the next generation of French technical midfielders into his system.
What Comes Next in the Nations League
France's 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign serves as the ultimate testing ground for Zidane’s tactical transition. Following the opening fixture against Turkey, Les Bleus will face critical tests in a demanding group that features double-headers against both Belgium and Italy over the autumn international windows.
Matchwise's AI-driven match analysis will track whether Zidane immediately alters France's defensive block to favor the high-possession approach he utilized in Madrid, or if he implements a more gradual tactical evolution to ease the players out of the Deschamps era. Fans and analysts alike will be watching how he configures the midfield balance to support an attack-heavy front line.
Regardless of the immediate tactical shifts on the pitch, the emotional weight of Zidane's return to the French setup is undeniable. Twenty years after his playing career ended in heartbreak at the 2006 World Cup final, French football's most iconic figure is back to finish what he started, this time dictating the play from the dugout.
When is Zinedine Zidane's first match as France manager?
Zinedine Zidane's first match in charge of the French national team takes place on Friday, September 25, 2026, against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League.
Who did Zinedine Zidane replace as France manager?
Zidane replaced his former teammate Didier Deschamps. Deschamps stepped down in July 2026 after 14 years in charge, following France's fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.